Is it better to pay taxis in Czech Republic with cash, or do drivers accept cards or payment apps?
When I visited Prague, taxis were mixed when it came to payments. A couple did accept cards successfully, but others insisted on cash. Honestly, it felt easier just to carry korunas and avoid the uncertainty. Apps like Bolt or Uber were much more reliable for card payments and cheaper too. If you’re a visitor, don’t count on using plastic in every taxi. Have some local money ready, and only use apps if you want guaranteed digital payment options.
Taxis in the Czech Republic still lean towards cash, even though the country is otherwise card-friendly. I was told upfront by a few drivers that the machine didn’t work, so cash was my only option. It’s not hard to get korunas at ATMs, so it wasn’t a huge deal, but it’s good to plan for. The safest bet is to carry cash for taxis, especially for short trips where drivers may not want to bother with card payments.
My trip to Prague showed me that taxis are inconsistent with card acceptance. One company at the airport had working terminals, but in the city, two different drivers told me they only wanted cash. Restaurants and hotels are fine with cards, but taxis just aren’t as reliable. I would definitely recommend carrying local cash for fares. Alternatively, using ride-hailing apps like Liftago or Bolt makes everything easier because you can pay electronically through the app without awkward negotiations.
In Prague, I found that many taxis displayed card symbols, but drivers often said the machines were broken. It felt like they preferred cash even when electronic payments were possible. Cash in Czech koruna was always accepted, so I ended up relying on that. If you want to avoid the whole issue, Bolt is widely used and works directly with cards through the app. For tourists, I’d suggest keeping korunas ready because you can’t trust every taxi to process a card smoothly.